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Topic Review (Newest First)

05-17-2012 01:13 AM

travlin-easy

Re: Hurricane Hole - How to Choose

Hi Mike,

Yep, it's Fred's old boat. And yes, that generator was really noisy. When the wind got up a bit it sounded like a jet engine. If my health doesn't go to Hell, it's the boat I'll be taking south in October. I've made quite a few changes to the boat, and currently I'm repainting everything above the rub rail. Fred painted below the rub rail and that paint seems to be in great shape. The non-skid is completely worn off the deck and cockpit, and there are lots of places where the paint has worn down to the barrier coat.

I had all the standing rigging replaced--it was all original when I purchased the boat. I also replaced the roller furling to an Alado system, put a new jib on her, but the main seems to be OK, at least for now.

I also added an electric windlass, new chain and rode, redid all the plumbing during the past winter, replaced one of the breaker panels, repaired some of the wiring, repaired the alternator(s), installed a 15-watt solar panel, installed a pedestal mounted, swivel, cockpit seat, an oscillating fan in the vee berth, a flat-screen LED TV, Lowrance HDS7 GPS plotter/depth finder and I'll probably install Lowrance's 3G Radar on the pole where the wind generator was mounted.

Fred told me the boat was slow, but I haven't found that to be the case. Changing the jib made a big difference in the performance, though--the original jib was completely shot. With a 15 knot wind she'll cruise right along at 6.5 to 7.2, and the old gal can really handle bad weather better than any boat I've been aboard. Just prior to the arrival of the flood-waters in the above photo my wife and I got caught in some sustained 45 to 50-MPH winds and torrential rains that lasted nearly 12 hours. Running on just the jib we skipped along at more than 8.5 knots for more than 30 miles. My biggest worry was that I might have been placing too much strain on the rigging, but it held well. We tied up the boat at the marina during a lull in the storm, unloaded the essentials, and the following day the flood-waters arrived. The storm, which continued for another couple days, was the remnants of last summer's hurricane.

The marina I was referring to in Florida IS Indiantown Marina, which is just about 17 miles west of Stuart, FL. I went there looking for a Morgan just like the one I purchased. It looked great on the outside, but the interior was shot. It's a neat marina, lots of amenities, but pretty expensive. If I had to get away from a hurricane, and I was within 100 miles of Indiantown Marina, it would be my hurricane hole of choice.

This photo was shot as the water was rising. The electric box next to my boat was underwater three house after the photo was taken. Somewhere to the left, there is a swimming pool beneath the muddy water.

Good Luck,

Gary

Gary,

I know that boat, in 2006 my slip was next to the PO's. Sorry to hear about the wind generator but as I recall, it always was a noisy thing and I was glad Fred kept it harnessed.

Is it Saturday's Child that you'll be taking to Florida this Fall? If so I'll be watching for you.

I suspect that's why a lot of folks go up Indian River, Florida during hurricane season. If I recall, there's a marina about 17 miles from the mouth of the river called Indian Landing where hurricanes are never a problem--even when just tied to the dock.

Good Luck,

Gary

I am not able to locate that marina, I tried Active Captain and Google search. I wonder are you talking about Indiantown marina

05-16-2012 11:15 AM

travlin-easy

Re: Hurricane Hole - How to Choose

I suspect that's why a lot of folks go up Indian River, Florida during hurricane season. If I recall, there's a marina about 17 miles from the mouth of the river called Indian Landing where hurricanes are never a problem--even when just tied to the dock.

A bayou, a river, and strong trees or no trees around. Tie one end of boat to land(trees as I/we did), and other to TWO ANCHORS).....And LUCK. .... My sailboat and others survived in a direct hit area by hurricane Ivan (140 mph winds). ... But some boats were blown up into trees and on land. Other areas the Storm Surge lifted boats up and deposited them on land or restaurant parking lots. I prefer to be near a vacant land area where waves can't build. Also, don't stay on boat(sorry but some people think they should)...
Match up with another boater or many boaters and help each other tie up to shore, move anchors away from your boat at a distance and angle from your boat. Also, helping each others motor out to your boat before and after the Hurricane . Thieves may visit boats and houses after the hurricane hurricane., so you my want to live on your boat afterward.

Of course try to put alot of room between you and other boats, and have a way to travel back and forth. Have proof you own the boat with you to show the National Guard & police when you want to get back to your boat !

Absolutely! Great reply.

Let's me say what I have seen. Many boats will sink an most will drag. How do you avoid a getting caught up by someone elses boat? ancohring away from everyone else and a lot of luck.

I think finding a hole or a river is the best if you can especially get deep in the mangroves. This rules out many boats becuse of their draft. Protection from wind on all sides is great, but it is probably the Storm Surge that will get you. Account for that when considering scope. WHen we rode out Gabrielle on the boat, I saw every bit of 4-6'... and that is nothing. But the waves from the gulf side and wind makes that much more treacherous.

It was mentioned to haul if you can. Boat US pays for half of this and will even help pay for a Captain to move your boat to get her hauled as I recall. Also, leave the boat. It is said there is nothing you can do in a hurricane if you ride it out on board. I dissagree. You can watch for chaffing and raisinglines. But there will quickly come a point when you cannot get off and you are stuck there and on your own. Most anyone that has ever done it swears they would never do it again. That includes me.

Another comment above is making sure you have ownership papers and ID. That is critical. After the storm goes through, assuming you evac'd, they locals law enforcement/Natl Guard will be checking to make sure you are a local or they will not let you back.

Ii wrote a long thread about Hurricane Preparation. Guess its getting close to that time of year again. And for all the hype, the real odds of getting hit head on by a major hurricane (or really one at all) is quite small.

Hope that helps.

Brian

05-10-2012 04:53 PM

CarolynShearlock

Re: Hurricane Hole - How to Choose

I'll start by agreeing with Catamount -- minimize fetch from ALL directions. If you get a direct hit (we did) the wind will do a 180 switch as the eye passes, and waves will come from pretty much all directions as it switches.

But as important as that is, remember that it takes everyone in the anchorage to survive a hurricane. By that, again agreeing with Catamount, it doesn't matter how perfectly your boat is prepared if your neighbor's boat isn't . . . and a boat even a mile away can present a hazard if it breaks loose and has a jib come unfurled.

Two points from this: you want a location where other owners properly prepare their boats, and offer help if you see someone else needs a hand with getting sails down below, checking a mooring or whatever -- you're not just helping to save their boat, but maybe yours as well!

05-06-2012 05:00 PM

travlin-easy

Re: Hurricane Hole - How to Choose

One of the things a guy in my marina learned the hard way was to position his boat in such a manner that his mast and his neighbor's mast cannot make contact. During the height of the storm last fall both boats masts slammed together, resulting in serious damage to both masts and their associated rigging.

Gary

05-06-2012 01:24 PM

DoubleEnder

Re: Hurricane Hole - How to Choose

My boat is moored at the top of Buzzards Bay. One of the worst places in a real hurricane because of the funnel like affect of the bay. I agree with the good advise given above by Catamount.

Too many times I've seen boats that were hauled get more damage than those left in the water. There is no real safe place here in the bay.

My hurricane plan these days is to head for Maine. I know a good hole that's much better than anything here in Massachusetts. Why do I know it's good? Because of all the lobster boats that come in and dry out in the weeds.
Those guys know what's good!

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